Florida Governor Ron DeSantis did not hold back when asked about Rep. Byron Donalds running for Governor with the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. In a recent press conference, DeSantis made it clear that he’s not impressed with Donalds as a candidate.

DeSantis expressed his primary concern: ensuring that Florida does not revert to its pre-DeSantis era policies. He warned that it would be easy for the state to backslide under the wrong leadership. His remarks strongly implied that he does not believe Donalds is up for the job.

The governor also took a swipe at Donalds’ approach to politics, suggesting that the Congressman enjoys campaigning more than actually getting things done. This criticism hints at a deeper divide between DeSantis and Trump’s endorsed pick for the state’s next leader.

At a press conference in Tampa on Monday, where he discussed the creation of Florida’s own Department of Government Efficiency, DeSantis declined to back a Donalds gubernatorial bid at this stage.

"Donald Trump just got into office. I want these congressmen focused on enacting his agenda," DeSantis said. "They haven’t done very much yet. They’re not putting his executive orders into place. We’ll see what they do on the spending, but we have such a narrow majority that to be trying to campaign other places and missing these votes I think is not something that’s advisable at all."

DeSantis continued, emphasizing the importance of results over rhetoric.

"We’ve achieved victories in Florida. We need to start achieving those victories up there, so I think people look at it and say, you know you got a guy like Byron, he just hasn’t been a part of any of the victories that we’ve had here over these last years," DeSantis said. "He’s just not been a part of it. He’s been in other states campaigning doing that, and that’s fine, but OK, well then deliver results up there. That’s what I want to see. I want to see them delivering results for the people of Florida. We deliver it here all the time for the people of Florida, and that’s what we need to be doing."

Looking ahead to 2026, DeSantis made it clear that he is focused on finding a candidate who can maintain and expand on the progress he believes Florida has made under his leadership.

"I’m going to be raising money for the 2026 race, and I’m looking for someone that’s going to be able to continue and build off that success that we’ve had here in Florida."

DeSantis also warned against complacency, cautioning that Florida could easily revert to its previous state without strong leadership.

"I think a lot of people think somehow the battle’s been won, and you don’t have to worry about it. We could revert very quickly. That could happen. 100%," DeSantis, who Trump endorsed in the 2018 gubernatorial race, said. "And so it really needs to be, 'OK, are you going to be somebody that’s going to fight for people, especially when it’s not easy? Have you been willing to get in and get involved in these big battles that we’ve had and have won over these many years?’ And if you’re not willing to do that, then I think we are going to see this state revert, so I would not take anything for granted."

DeSantis further emphasized that Florida’s success is not automatic and should not be assumed to continue without strong leadership.

"We’ve had hundreds of thousands of people move here specifically because of the policies that we have, and I think that’s something that you should not take for granted," DeSantis said. "This is not necessarily something that just goes on autopilot."

Casey DeSantis for Governor? DeSantis Weighs In

When asked about the possibility of his wife, First Lady Casey DeSantis, running for governor, DeSantis did not confirm any plans but spoke highly of her political instincts and conservative principles.

"People ask me all the time about our wonderful First Lady, who has done a fantastic job as First Lady of Florida," DeSantis said. "I will tell you this, you’re talking about somebody like her. I won by the biggest margin that any Republican has ever won a governor’s race here in Florida. She would do better than me."

DeSantis went on to praise her leadership qualities, suggesting she could continue and even enhance the policies implemented under his administration.

"She’s somebody that has the intestinal fortitude and the dedication to conservative principles that, you know, anything that we’ve accomplished she’d be able to take to the next level," he added.

Watch the full exchange below: